Connector-switch



April 7,- 1959 D. SHALER CONNECTOR-SWITCH Filed Dec. 3, 1957 k rrfgzINVENTOR. DAVID SHALER Q. (b. Mb

ATTORNEY United States Patent CONNECTOR-SWITCH David Shaler, Astoria,N.Y., assignor to Faximile, Inc.,

' New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Application December 3,1957, Serial No. 700,396 12 Claims. (Cl. 20016) This invention relatesto the art of electrical connectors and particularly concerns anelectrical connector having fixed and movable contacts adapting theconnector to serve as a switch.

A principal object of the invention is to provide an electricalconnector in which a plurality of circuits can be completedsimultaneously between fixed and movable contacts.

A further object is to provide a connector for completing a plurality ofcircuits simultaneously, and wherein fixed contacts are embedded in areceptacle provided with grooves for guiding flexible movable contactmembers of a plug into contact with the fixed contacts.

A still further object is to provide a connector-switch with a pluralityof rows of fixed connectors disposed in a spaced array and arranged sothat movement of a plurality of movable contacts thereoversimultaneously opens 0r closes a plurality of electrical circuits.

,A still further object is to provide a receptacle for a connector inwhich open grooves are provided to receive the contacts of an associatedplug.

A still further object is to provide a plug for a connector in which aplurality of flexible connector members are disposed in a spaced arrayand provided with bent ends for contacting a plurality of fixed contactelements in a receptacle.

The invention will be best understood from the following detaileddescription taken together with the drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a connector-switch including areceptacle and plug according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view ofa portion of the receptacle and plug of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on lines 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 of another form of theinvention.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the form of device shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 4 of still another form ofconnector-switch embodying the invention. In Figs. 1-4 there is shown aplug 20 employed in the connector-switch. The plug includes a block 21of insulation material. Embedded in the block and extending therethroughare a plurality of wires 22. The wires are uniformly spaced in acoplanar array in the block. Flexible portions 23 of the wires extendfrom the block 21. These portions are formed with upwardly bentterminations 24. The curved points 25 (which may be more rounded thanshown) serve as contact surfaces of the flexible contact members 23 inthe connector-switch. The flexible members 23 are arranged to makecontact with conductive elements 28 and 29. These elements arerectangular metal plates arranged in a coplanar array and are embeddedin block 30 of receptacle 31.

I Block 30 is made of insulation material, such as plastic or ceramicand holds embedded therein a plurality of pairs of coplanar plates 28,29 in spaced arrays corre-' ends of plates 28 and 29 are separated byportions 33 of the block which serve as spacers. Electric circuit wires35 and 36 are connected to ends of the respective plates 28 and 29 andpass through opposite ends of block 30. A ridge 38 having a faceinclined to the upper face of block 30 is formed transversely acrossblock 30 at one end thereof. Another ridge 39 having a face inclined tothe upper face of block 30 is formed near the other end of block 30.This block is securely mounted on a base plate 40.

A pair of upstanding plates 42 and 43 are attached to the base plate. Abar 44 joins plates 42, 43. A shaft 45 extends between the plates 42,43. On this shaft is pivoted a pair of levers 46, 47. Attached to theupper ends of the levers are springs 48. Block 21 is mounted betweenlevers 46, 47, by means of arms 49 which terrminate at the levers andare embedded in the sides of the block. A cylindrical cam 50 iseccentrically mounted on shaft 58 which is driven by motor 59. The camr0- tates in contact with the edges of the levers 46, 47 causing them topivot against tension in springs 48. As the cam rotates the block movesback and forth so that members 23 move in the grooves between ridges 34and alternately contact plates 28 and 29. This accomplishes a repetitiveswitch action between the plug and the separate circuits in which wires35 and 36 connect. During their movement the flexible members 23maintain effective contact with the flat upper surfaces of plates 28 and29 during movement. The sliding movement of the contact points 25 servesto keep the surfaces S clean and bright to maintain effective electricalcontact at all positions of the members 23 on the plates 28, 29.

The ridges 38 and 39 may serve as circuit breaking elements betweenmembers 23 and plates 28, 29. During the forward sliding movement of theflexible members 23 they can be advanced over plates 29 to the pointwhere the bent terminations 24 ride up on the inclined face of ridge 39,thus breaking the electrical contact between curved points 25 of members23 and plates 29. During the rearward movement of members 23 they can beretracted until the elongated inclined bodies of members 23 ride up onthe inclined face of ridge 38, thus breaking the electrical contactbetween the curved points 25 of members 23 and plates 28. During theforward and rearward movements of the members 23 if the points 25 arenot raised above the tops of ridges 34 disengagement of the members 23with the grooves in the block 30 will be prevented so thatreestablishment of the electrical contacts on the reverse movements ofthe members 23 will be facilitated.

If desired the positions of the blocks 21 and 30 may be reversed, withblock 21 secured to base plate 40 and block 30 movably carried by arms49. The plug 20 would then remain stationary while the receptacles 31 or31a were moved to effect the switching action described.

In Fig. 7 receptacle 310 includes a block 30a in which more than twofixed contact plates are provided in each switch channel. In addition toplates 28 and 29 there are provided plates 60 and 61. The latter plateshave connecting circuit wires 62, 63 extending through the bottom ofblock 30a. As many additional contact plates as described may besimilarly provided in spaced coplanar alignment between the ridges 34 inreceptacle 31a.

In Fig. 5 the block 30b of receptacle 31b is provided with only a singlespaced row of contact plates 29. Each r. plate is coextensive in lengthwith the ridge 34a which Patented Apr. 7, 1959 v extendsbetween ridges38 and 39 Only a single connecting circuit wire 36 is required for eachplate 29. Contact is made between the individual plates 29 and contactmembers 23 under spring tension therein. This form of the inventionserves primarily as a connector and lacks the automatic switchingfeatures provided by the rows'of plates 28-29 shown in Figs. 4 and 7.

To operatively assemble the plug 21'and receptacle 31, it is preferredthat levers 47 be initially disengaged from arms 49 so that the members23 can be fitted into the grooves in block 30.

The channels formed by the ridges 34 serve as guides for entry of thecontacting points 25 of contact members 23. When the members 23 areinserted into the receptacle to contact the fixed conductive plates,ridges 34 assist in guiding the members 23 into the desired grooves. Ifmembers 23 have a spacing of the order of thirty or more to the inchsimultaneous contact between the flexiblemembe rs 23 and the contactplates in the respective grooves is made by placing each of the contactends 25 onone of the ridges adjacent the conductive plate to becontacted. A slight transverse shaking movement of the plug will causethe members 23 to drop into place in the grooves under tension to effectsimultaneous contact on the several parallel contact plates. This quickcontacting feature of the invention is characteristic of each of theembodiments shown in the drawing. After the contact points 25 of members23 are lodged in the grooves, levers 47 may be attached to arms 49 tohold the plug in a desired angular position with respect to thereceptacle.

What is claimed and sought to be protected by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

I. In an electrical connector, a receptacle adapted for cooperation witha plug having a plurality of spaced parallel flexible contact members,comprising a block of insulation material, a plurality of fixed contactplates embedded in a spaced parallel array in the block, said plateshaving smooth top edges recessed within one face of the block, said facehaving spaced parallel ridges formed of said insulation materialdefining grooves with said edges of the plates to receive said contactmembers, said block having a pair of other ridges disposed transverselyacross the block at opposite ends of the grooves, said'other ridgesbeing raised above said spaced parallel riclges for supporting saidmembers out of contact with said plates, and a plurality of electricalcircuit Wires respectively connected to each of the plates and extendingout of the block.

2. In an electrical connector, a receptacle comprising a block ofinsulation materiaLa plurality of conductive contact plates embedded ina spaced parallel array in the block, said plates having smooth topedges recessed within one face of the block, said face having a firstplurality of ridges formed of said insulation material defininggrooveswith said edges, said face having a pair of other ridges disposedtransversely across the block atopposite ends of the grooves, said otherridges having faces inclined toward said grooves, and a plurality ofelectrical circuit wires respectively connected to each of the platesand extending out of the block. 7

3. In an electrical connector, a receptacle adapted for cooperation witha plug having a plurality of spaced parallel flexible contact members,comprising ablock of insulation material, a plurality of rows of fixedcontact plates embedded in a spaced parallel array in the block, theplates in each row being disposed in coplanar alignment and beingseparated from each other at their adjacent ends, said plates havingsmooth top edges recessed within one face of the block and exposedthereat, said face having a plurality of spaced parallel ridges formedof said insulation material defining grooves with said top edges toreceive said members said block having a'pair of other ridges disposedtransversely across the block abopposite ends of the grooves, said otherridges being raised above said spaced parallel ridges for supportingsaid members out of contact with said plates, and a plurality ofelectrical wires respectively connected to each of the plates andextending out of the block.

4. In an electrical connector, a receptacle comprising a block ofinsulation material, a plurality of rows of fixed contact platesembedded in a spaced parallel array in the block, the plates in each rowbeing disposed in coplanar alignment and being separatedfrom each otherat their adjacent ends, said plates having smooth top edges exposed atone face of the block said facing having" movement of said members infixed paths'on said plates,

in the receptacle.

5. In an electrical connector, a receptacle comprising a block ofinsulation material, a plurality of fixed contact plates embedded in aspaced parallel array in the block, said plates having smooth top edgesrecessed within one face of the block and exposed thereat, said face having ridges formed of insulation material defining spaced grooves withsaid edges of the plates, and a plurality of electrical circuit wiresrespectively connected to eachof the plates and extending out of theblock; and a plug comprising another block of insulation material,another plurality of wires embedded in said other block and havingflexible contact members extending therefrom in a spaced parallel arraycorresponding to the spacing of said grooves, each of said contactmembers-having an upwardly bent end portion, said members beingrespectively slidably fitted in the grooves and contacting said exposededges of the fixed contact plates at intermediate points of said portionWhere the contact members are bent upwardly.

6. In an electrical connector, a receptacle comprising a block ofinsulation material, a plurality of rows of fixed contact platesembedded in a spaced parallel array in the block, the plates in each rowbeing disposed in coplanar alignment and being separated from each otherat their adjacent ends, said plates having smooth top edges recessedwithin one face of the block and exposed thereat,

said face having a first plurality of ridges formed of said insulationmaterial defining straight spaced grooves with said top edges, said facehaving another pair of ridges disposed transversely across the blockridges at opposite ends of the grooves, said other ridges having facesinclined toward said grooves, and a plurality of electrical circuitwires respectively connected to each of the plates and extending out ofthe block; and a plug comprising another block of insulation material,another plurality of wires carried by said other block and havingflexible contact members extending therefrom in a spaced parallelarraycorresponding to the spacing of the grooves, each of said contactmembers having a curved end portion,

said members being respectively slidably fitted in the grooves andcontacting said exposed edges of the fixed contact plates at said curvedend portions.

7. In an electrical connector, a receptacle comprising.

a first block of insulation material, a plurality of fixed contactplates embedded in a spaced parallel array in,

theblock, said plates having smooth top edges recessed I within one faceof the block and exposed thereat, said face having ridges formed ofinsulation material defining spaced grooves with said edges of theplates, and a plurality of electrical circuit wires respectivelyconnected to each of the plates and extending out of the block; and

a plug comprising another block of insulation materiah another pluralityof wires embedded in said other block and having flexible contactmembers extending therefrom in a spaced parallel array corresponding tothe spacing of said grooves, each of said contact members having anupwardly bent end portion, said members being respectively slidablyfitted in the grooves and contacting said exposed edges of the fixedcontact plates at intermediate points of said portions Where the contactmembers are bent upwardly, said first block being provided with means toguide said contact members into said grooves into contact with saidedges.

8. In an electrical connector, a receptacle comprising a block ofinsulation material, a plurality of rows of fixed contact platesembedded in a spaced parallel array in the block, the plates in each rowbeing disposed in coplanar alignment and being separated from each otherat their adjacent ends, said plates having smooth top edges recessedwithin one face of the block and exposed thereat, said face having afirst plurality of ridges formed of said insulation material definingstraight spaced grooves with said top edges, said face having anotherpair of ridges disposed transversely across said first ridges atopposite ends thereof, said other ridges having faces inclined towardsaid grooves, and a plurality of electrical circuit wires respectivelyconnected to each of the plates and extending out of the block; a plugcomprising another block of insulation material, another plurality ofwires carried by said other block and having flexible contact membersextending therefrom in a spaced parallel array corresponding to thespacing of the grooves, each of said contact members having a curved endportion, said members being respectively slidably fitted in the groovesand contacting said exposed edges of the fixed contact plates at saidcurved end portions, and means for moving said other block to slide saidcontact member in said grooves from one group of parallel plates toanother group of parallel plates in the receptacle.

9. In an electrical connector, a receptacle comprising a block ofinsulation material, a plurality of rows of fixed contact platesembedded in a spaced parallel array in the block, the plates in each rowbeing disposed in coplanar alignment and being separated from each otherat their adjacent ends, said plates having smooth top edges recessed ingrooves within one face of the block, a plug comprising another block ofinsulation material, another plurality of wires carried by said otherblock and having flexible contact members extending therefrom in aspaced parallel array corresponding to the spacing of the plates, eachof said contact members having a curved end portion, said members beingrespectively slidably fitted in the grooves with the curved end portionsof said members contacting the top edges of the fixed contact plates atsaid curved end portions, and means for moving said other block to slidesaid contact members from one group to another group of parallel platesin the receptacle.

10. In an electrical connector, a receptacle comprising a block ofinsulation material, a plurality of fixed contact plates embedded in aspaced parallel array in the block, said plates having smooth top edgesexposed at one face of the block, said face having ridges definingspaced grooves with said top edges of the plates, a plug comprising aplurality of Wires, and a holder supporting said Wires in a spaced arraycorresponding to the spacing of the plates, said other wires havingflexible contact members projecting from the holder into said grooves,said receptacle being provided with means for guiding said members intosimultaneous contact with said edges of the plates upon interfitting ofthe plug and receptacle.

11. In an electrical connector, in combination, a plurality ofconductive plates, a first holder carrying the plates in a plurality ofspaced parallel grooves, the plates in each groove being disposed incoplanar alignment and being separated from each other at their adjacentends, a plurality of wires, a second holder supporting said wires in aspaced array corresponding to the spacing of the grooves, each of saidwires having a flexible contact member, the several contact membersbeing respectively disposed in contact with the upper edge of one platein each groove, and means for moving one of the holders in anoscillating motion while the other holder remains stationary so that thecontact members and said plates move relative to each other with thecontact members alternately contacting one group and then another groupof said plates.

12. In an electrical connector in combination, a first block ofinsulation material, a plurality of spaced rows of fixed contact platesembedded in a spaced parallel array between parallel ridges in theblock, the plates in each row being disposed in coplanar alignment andbeing separated from each other at their adjacent ends, said plateshaving smooth top edges exposed at one face of the block, said facehaving ridges defining spaced grooves with said top edges of the plates,a plurality of Wires, a second block of insulation material supportingthe Wires in another spaced array corresponding to the spacing of therows of plates, said wires having flexible contact members projectingfrom said second block into said grooves, and means for oscillating oneof the blocks so that said members and said plates move relative to eachother with the contact members alternately contacting the exposed edgesof one group and then another group of said plates, said ridges guidingsaid members so that said relative movement is confined to fixed pathsbetween the ridges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS776,120 Draper Nov. 29, 1904 2,136,612 Dunbar Nov. 15, 1938 2,696,570Pandapas Dec. 7, 1954 2,708,264 McBoyd May 10, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS48,756 Sweden Feb. 1, 1919

